Magnetoencephalographic alpha band connectivity reveals differential default mode network interactions during focused attention and open monitoring meditation.

Laura Marzetti,Claudia Di Lanzo,Antonino Raffone,Filippo Zappasodi,Vittorio Pizzella,Federico Chella

doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.00832

Abstract

According to several conceptualizations of meditation, the interplay between brain systems associated to self-related processing, attention and executive control is crucial for meditative states and related traits. We used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to investigate such interplay in a highly selected group of “virtuoso” meditators (Theravada Buddhist monks), with long-term training in the two main meditation styles: focused attention (FA) and open monitoring (OM) meditation. Specifically, we investigated the differences between FA meditation, OM meditation and resting state in the coupling between the posterior cingulate cortex, core node of the Default Mode Network (DMN) implicated in mind wandering and self-related processing, and the whole brain, with a recently developed phase coherence approach. Our findings showed a state dependent coupling of posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) to nodes of the DMN and of the executive control brain network in the alpha frequency band (8–12 Hz), related to different attentional and cognitive control processes in FA and OM meditation, consistently with the putative role of alpha band synchronization in the functional mechanisms for attention and consciousness. The coupling of PCC with left medial prefrontal cortex (lmPFC) and superior frontal gyrus characterized the contrast between the two meditation styles in a way that correlated with meditation expertise. These correlations may be related to a higher mindful observing ability and a reduced identification with ongoing mental activity in more expert meditators. Notably, different styles of meditation and different meditation expertise appeared to modulate the dynamic balance between fronto-parietal (FP) and DMN networks. Our results support the idea that the interplay between the DMN and the FP network in the alpha band is crucial for the transition from resting state to different meditative states.

Highlights

The neural correlates of meditation states and traits have been increasingly studied in cognitive and affective neuroscience (Cahn and Polich, 2006; Lutz et al, 2008; Raffone and Srinivasan, 2010)
To the aim of understanding whether different meditation styles involve differential coupling between posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and other brain areas in different frequency bands, we evaluated coupling to PCC in terms of t-maps for all possible contrast pairs: i.e., open monitoring (OM)-focused attention (FA), OM-resting state block (REST), FA-REST
Our present study further suggests that the neural mechanisms for the “narrative self ” may involve the crucial coupling between PCC and left superior frontal gyrus (lSFG) in the alpha band, which can be modulated by meditation, with differential effects of FA and OM styles

Summary

Introduction

The neural correlates of meditation states and traits have been increasingly studied in cognitive and affective neuroscience (Cahn and Polich, 2006; Lutz et al, 2008; Raffone and Srinivasan, 2010). Such growth of interest has been supported by several findings about the salutary effects of meditation on physical and mental health, as related in particular to mindfulness based programs (e.g., Chiesa and Serretti, 2010; Keng et al, 2011). The second style, OM meditation, involves the monitoring of any content of ongoing

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